Bike trip - July 28-29 - Irkutsk town

Irkutsk is one of the largest towns in the East of Russia. It was founded in 1661 and is located in the valley of the Angara River, in the place of the fall of two of its feeders – Irkut and Ushakovka, in 55 km from the unique natural complex, the object of the World Inheritance – the Baikal Lake.

The third stage of the Transcontinental bike Expedition has reached its end. The shift is waiting for us in Irkutsk. Members of the fourth – final shift – of the Expedition have already left their towns in various parts of Russia for the trip. They are to wheel along the last part of the way - Irkutsk - Vladivostok. Vladimir I. Skovpen, the leader of the Expedition, will continue his ministry. He has left behind already 10500 kilometers of roads. A little more efforts and he will reach the goal! But with what efforts? There is no good highway anymore. Vladimir began his trip on the 13th of May in Germany and will finish his ministry in Vladivostok on the 3rd of September. He had no punctures of wheels during all 10500 kilometers. What one can say about such a person? He is the artist. And he is a good preacher too. I do not know about previous stages of the trip, but during our part of the trip from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk Vladimir constantly told people about the Gospel, daily. The following people will remain with Victor and will continue to be with the Expedition – Victor, a biker; Levon, a doctor; and Dmitry – a KAMAZ truck driver. Others will leave for home after the evangelization planned to be held in Irkutsk.

Our team was the largest – 31 persons. During a month of our joint ministry we became accustomed to each other. I can say the same about everyone – a faithful and reliable friend, a real and devoted Christian.

We took a picture at the entrance to Irkutsk. We felt sorry about soon parting. We have done the missionary ministry entrusted to us by God and the Russian ECB Union. Not a single accident during the trip, no confusion, no punctured happened. I can say with certainty that our team has been working in harmony and friendship. We supplemented each other. Thanks to the children’s ministry thousands of kids came to know about the Gospel. Our missionaries - Vyatcheslav, two Natashas and Marina talked with kids clearly and easily. Thank you for your commitment and faithfulness in the children’s ministry! Bikers – Andrew, Artiom, Sergey, Piotr, Andrew, Yaroslav, Victor, Vladimir and Vladimir Skovpen covered the third part of the route without any complain.

A music team «Eden’s heavens» from Vladikavkaz - Dmitry, Nona, Denis, Ksenia, Elmira and Oksana daily sang about the Gospel. I would like to say specifically about a 14-year-old Denis – our sound engineer. During all 28 days of our ministry our sound equipment worked perfectly. Vitaly Semionov has been the right hand and a friend of bikers, as he put new wheels in a glimpse of an eye and we continued our way. Denis Bernaz made us happy by his singing and even devoted one song to this stage of the Expedition.

Sergey and Dmitry from Smolensk joined the Expedition in Kemerovo. They filmed several kilometers of events. From all the footage a short film about the Expedition will be made at the Christian TV studio «Spring», which will inspire Evangelical Christians-Baptists for the evangelizations. We had good drivers with us – Dmitry, Alexei and Guennady. Practically all the way bikers followed «Mercedes» very closely. Guennady, under the leadership of Vladimir Skovpen, did not make any mistake. It is a very responsible task to head the line of bikers. And it is not less responsible to follow the bikers. It was necessary to do that no other cars could enter our line during our way.

Alexei, the driver of the Jeep fulfilled his task perfectly as the rest of us. Without Dmitry Yambulatov, a staff member of the Mission «Dorcas», Dmitry, the driver of KAMAZ will be left without his KAMAZ. On the request of the RUECB the Mission «Dorcas» purchased this big truck – cross-country vehicle for the social ministry among the ingenious people in the North of Russia. Vera, a Christian sister from Ufa, daily cared for our meals. When she had free time she sang together with the music team from Vladikavkaz. I think I have mentioned all members of our third shift of the bike trip.

Well, now a few words about myself. I am also a faithful friend. Do you believe it? Please, join any of our missionary trip. I left my home, kids and a grandson on the 31st of May 2007 and joined the Expedition I would like to wholeheartedly thank my wife Ludmila for the understanding of the importance of outreach and her blessings for my ministry and her humbleness. As the leader of the third stage of the Expedition I would like to express special thanks to all husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and children of the members of the bike Expedition for letting us to take part in this important ministry. We thank all churches for prayers and material aid. We thank Irkutsk Christians for warm welcome and care for us.

P.S. On the 28th of July 2007, downtown Irkutsk, on the embankment of the Angara River, by the monument to the Emperor Alexander the ІІІ, we had the last evangelistic service. Next day we took part at the worship service in the Central ECB church. After the service we met new members of the team. Now we are free  and do not need to follow the Expedition. But we are not free from the daily Gospel preaching. «ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth » – this motto will remain unchanging for us!